"The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments." – Unknown
"All human power is a compound of time and patience." - Honore de Balzac
"Fortune knocks but once, but misfortune has much more patience." - Unknown
The man had no idea he was being followed, he was pathetic. There had been a complaint against this thief and it had been enough to look into. She would tail him for the day and night if he desired to go out then. He was guilty in the past, no doubt he would be now. But she had to be sure, always had to be sure. He strutted down the street like he was something, like it was important. He was not, he just didn't know it. She was also keeping her eye on the hunters, a hard task to do along with watching the thief. She knew some of them had left the station house to investigate. Interviews and crime scenes and hospital morgues. But her main focus for the next twenty-four to thirty hours would be the thief, George. What a common name, but alas he was a common criminal, not as special as some of the others. He stopped at a restaurant no doubt he would stay for a while. It was about time for him to eat. She had watched him earlier in the morning before scoping out the hunters. He hadn't been hard to find when she was done with the small pack. No he was too predictable in his movements and therefore his actions and motives. She just had to catch him at it. "Patience little one" a familiar voice sounded in her head. She smiled and recalled the memory that went with those words of wisdom.
She sat in a hard wooden chair that was much bigger then she was, her feet dangled off the floor. The old man, hair white and eyes cloudy blue kneeled in front of her. Holding her head in his large leathery hands he looked her directly in the eyes. "Patience little one. You must always have patience with these matters. You must know, have the solid proof. That is the way, remember that." He let go and she nodded eagerly at him but didn't speak. He smiled and slowly pushed himself to his feet. She could see behind his thin frame now to the woman lying in the corner. She was tied at the feet and hands, a rope connecting the two bonds to keep her still. She gave a muffled groan through the gag in her mouth as her eyes widened in fear. The man turned to face her, "not long now for you either." With that he went to the door a few feet from the chair and opened it. "Patience" he said as he left closing the door solidly behind him leaving her to watch the woman cry in the corner.
She missed the old man but he had been correct and she had learned her lessons well. She sat for an hour waiting for George to exit the restaurant. When he did he continued to walk, the swagger still in his step. He headed to a more populated area where shopping and activates in the summer months was abundant. She hated these areas but would suffer through. She could pretend and work hard to fit into the background. If necessary she could leave her car and follow him on foot. She had learned many lessons in this area too. He'd never know she was there, most of them never did. For the rest of the day and into the evening she followed, finally having to hoof it on foot. It was slightly boring despite the fact it was stalking of prey. But the patience paid off as it always did in the pre-dusk hours. George had been milling about in an open space between some of the newer trendy shops. Occasionally appearing to window shop before going to sit on one of the numerous benches in the open area. More and more frequently he'd sit at benches with other people. Until at last he sat next to a woman with several bags and a baby in a stroller. Something about it tipped her instincts and she watched closely, tensed. It was very quick, over in seconds but poor George sealed his fate. With some fancy wrist movements and a funny face at the baby George had dipped his hand into the woman's purse among her bags and withdrawn holding her wallet. The woman never noticed and moments later George was off to another area, more targets she was sure. She had her proof, knew it was he she would try and fix. But still she watched on and he took a few petty items after from various places before this time catching a bus towards his home. She followed all the way, even waiting till he settled in for the night before going home herself to rest. This part of her mission was over but she would watch again tomorrow. However with the proof she could spend more time looking in on the hunters. She wondered where they were staying, were they resting or were they up burning the midnight oil? She though again for a split second of their leading alpha before closing her eyes to dreams.
(A short chapter to check in with our unsub. Will post a longer chapter next time, just have to copy it over and an edit here or there. Thanks for reading, remember to review, more soon.)